Budd Lake

Budd Lake earns an F: 86 µg/L of phosphorus and clarity at 2.6 ft signal heavy nutrient loading from the surrounding watershed. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.

At a TSI of 68, Budd Lake reads as eutrophic — nutrient-rich enough that summer algal growth and reduced clarity are expected, not unusual. Budd Lake reaches 23 ft at its deepest point — typical for Minnesota mid-sized lakes, with seasonal stratification but limited cold-water refuge. Budd Lake covers 228 acres alongside 2.2 miles of shoreline — a mid-sized water that supports a working fishery without being so large that conditions diverge between basins. Budd Lake ranks 1 of 7 in Martin County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.

No invasive species are currently listed at Budd Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. Muskie are on the species list at Budd Lake, alongside the lake's 20 other documented fish. A documented public access point at Budd Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. Ice-out has been logged at Budd Lake more than two dozen times, putting the median around Mar 27 — a useful baseline for tracking climate trends. The grade is supported by multiple sampling years from Minnesota PCA volunteers and partner agencies, giving the letter a reasonably stable foundation.